Tunisian firm says explosives seized off Greece were for 'civilian use' in Sudan

TUNIS (AFP) Jun 23, 2003
The 680 tonnes of explosives seized from a ship by Greek special forces were supplied by a Tunisian munitions company for "civilian use" in Sudan, the firm said in a statement late Monday.

The company, the Societe Tunisienne d'Explosifs et Munitions (SOTEMU), said it had a contract with "Integrated Chemicals and Development" based in Khartoum to supply the explosives.

The Baltic Sky was carrying 680 tonnes of explosives, mainly TNT -- the "equivalent of an atomic bomb" -- and 8,000 detonators when Greek special forces seized it on Sunday in Greek waters while headed to Sudan, Greek Merchant Marine Minister Georges Anomeritis said in Athens.

Greek authorities Monday filed felony charges against the crew of the ship.

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